Inking converter unit for job printing presses and the like



Nov. 9, 1943. T. A. TERRY 2,333,962

INKING CONVERTER UNIT FOR JOB PRINTING PRESSES AND THE LIKE Filed NOV. 2, 1940 6 Sheets-Sheet l I N ENTOR. /lTTORNEY.

, Nov. 9, 1 943.

'r. A. TERRY 2,333,962

INKING CONVERTER UNIT'FORJOB PRINTING PRESSES AND THE LIKE Filed NOV. 2, 1940 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 nivsmon Nov. 9, 1943. T. TERRY 2,333,962

INKING CONVERTER UNIT FOR JOB PR INTING PRESSES AND THE LIKE Filed Nov. 2, 1940 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR.

T. A. TERRY Nov. 9, 1943.

INKING" CONVERTER UNIT FOR JOB PRINTING PRESSES AND THE LIKE Filed Nov. 2, 1940 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 BY ATTORNEY T. A. TERRY Nov. 9, 1943.

INKING CONVERTER UNIT FOR JOB PRINTING PRESSES AND THE LIKE 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed NOV. 2, 1940 M? w w 24 ma INVENTOR B m a /v AT ORNEY Nov. 9, 1943. T, A, TERRY 2,333,962

INKING CONVERTER UNIT FOR JOB PRINTING PRESSES AND THE LIKE Filed NOV. 2, 1940 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 INVENT BY ATTOiY Patented Nov. 9, 1943 INKING CONVERTER UNIT FOR JOB 'PRINT INGPRESSES AND THE LIKE Thomas A.-Terry, Brooklyn, -N. Y.. Application November 2, ieiaseriarNo. 363,981-

4 Claims.

This invention relates to printing machines and more especially'to a unitary attachment for converting printing presses of 'the ordinary printers ink or oil ink type to presses employing ink of a volatile fast drying type.

Heretofore in printing machines of the jobprinting type, it has been customary to employ so-called job-printing ink "which, because of its chemical and physicalcharacteristics including i-ts'high viscosity and low Volatility, requires a complicated system of feed andapplicator rollers for working the ink and transferring it from the fountain to the final printing roller in order to insure that the ink hasthe proper consistency and uniformity at the printing point. As an example of a typical press which involves such a conventional ink'feed and roller construction, reference may be had to thepress which is sold in the trade underthedesignation Harris type 92 manufactured by the Harris Seybold Potter Company, of Cleveland, Ohio. Entirely apart from the relatively complex ink feed and roller structure of these conventional job-printing presses, is the fact that the finished work requires a comparatively long time for drying. In most cases, a delay of twenty-four hours is necessary before the printinglink is sufliciently dry so that the Work can be used or transferred to another point for supplementary work such as folding or the like. Because of this great delay, the unit cost of printin with such machines is materially increased.

While various attempts have been made heretofore to adapt conventional,job-printing presses to the use of fast dryinginks, these attempts have not been successful because of the complicated ink feed roller arrangements which allows the volatile materialsof-theinktmdry out before reaching the printing roller. Furthermore in some cases it is desirable to beable to use such conventional job-printing presses either with jobbers ink or with fast .dryinginks. Accordingly, it is a principalobject of this invention to provide a simple, cheapand highly efficient converter unit whichcan be readily attached to existing job-printing, presses whereby such presses can be converted rapidly to operate withviast drying inks. l

Another principal object of this invention is to provide an inking device whereby job-printing and the like can be effected with a printing ink which dries substantially immediately after application. I have found'that with this new device, it is possible to execute nearly all forms ofcom mercial job-printingwith fast drying inks; which inks consist of a volatile solvent or vehicle such as-an alcohol with the appropriate pigment therein. However, in order to use such inks -commercially; it is necessary'to designink-feed and applicator arrangements so-that the characteristics-of such inksarefully-takenadvantageof; 1

Consequently a feature of -theinvention is to provide a novel and "efficient inkfe'ed arrange ment for printing presses whereby inks of the fast drying type may be efficiently employed.

Another feature-relates to an ink-feed arrangement-using inks having a volatile vehicle or solvent wh'ereby the pressure and adjustment of the variousrollers can be made with the-requisite acc-uracy in conformance with the physical achar- 'ac-teristic'sof the ink.

Another feature relates t'o-an ink-ffeed arrangement employing fast drying-inks. wherebyva uniformly engraved metalmoller or :h'ard m'etaLsuch as :steel or the like is used toxtransfer ,the ink directly to the printing or type roller.

Another feature relates tor-anrzinkt-fe'ed arrangement for .use with.fast...dryingr-.inks wherein a pair ofink-teed rollers .arexemployediin closely adjusted relation, togethervwithia special housing for'the rollersvwherebythe lodging of, excess ink between therollersiis substantially. eliminated.

A further. ifeaturesirelates to: an .inkefeed arrangement Iwhereinuone of ithe;,ink-;feedlrollersiis provided with independent adjustments, at 101 .110- site en'ds wherebythetquantity-of ink! transferred to" a printing rollerecanlbeeauged inaccordance with y the :closeness r01 zopenness, ;ofthe printed subject matteratopnositeumarsine or-s c i n cf thereoeiving surfacap. l, r

Afurther feature; relates; to a unitary adaptor usinglfast drying inks'designed for readyattach: mentyto, standard job' printing machines, wherein a single en raved ink-feed rolleris mounted for adiustmentto: and from the printingor, type roller of existing ,multi-nrollerjobyprintersi;

A further featureerelates tokan adaptor unit for expeditious attachment to existing multi-\-ro,1ler jobprinters wherein a specially designed ink roller is used in conjunction with a doctor blade to ,accommodateythe physicaland chemical characteristics of ,f ast dryinginksp A stilliurther feature relatesnto the'novel, on

gan-ization, arrangement and relative location. of

parts which constitute. a simple, fimprovem and highly efficient unitary volatile-ink feeding. adaptor for -.printingpresses, -wher.eby,printin'g can be done-withfast drying inkssuh as those containing a pigment in a volatilesolvent .or vehiclefsuch as an alcohol or the like.. A

Other features and. advantages not .specificany enumerated will be apparent'aftei acon'sideration of the following detailed descriptions and the anpended claims.

In the drawings which show certain embodiments,

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a unitary. inkfeeding device of the dual roller type embodying features of the invention.

Fig. 2 is an end view of Fig. 1 showing the manner of attaching the device to a printing press.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged view of part of Fig. 1.

Fig; 4 is an enlarged view of another part of Fig. 1,

Fig. 5 i a top-plan view of another and preferred embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 6 is an end view of Fi 5.

Fig. 7 is a sectional view of Fig. 5 taken approximately along the lines 11 thereof looking in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 8 is a diagrammatic elevational end view of a typical job-printing press embodying the job printer. The printing or type roller 2 carry- 7 ing the rubber printing plate; is driven in the direction of the arrow by the motor and gearing mechanism of the press which is of well-known.

construction. The unitary ink-feed adaptor according to the invention is adjustably supported on a pair of brackets 3 disposed at opposite sides of the printing machine and attached'to the uprights I thereof, by suitable bolts 4, 5, The brackets 3 are spaced apart sufliciently to allow the inking attachment to be moved bodily a a unit into proper cooperative relation with type roller 2.

The inking arrangement comprises a flat metal main support 6 which has a hole 1 at one end and a slot 8 at the othercnd. Attached rigidly to each of the brackets 3 is a threaded pin 9, the left-hand pin 9 passing through the hole 1, while the right-hand pin Iengages in the slot 8 whereby the entire assembly can be swung around'the left-hand pin and the longitudinal relation between "the feed rollers and the type roller 2 can be readily adjusted. For "this purpose, the nuts lll'are loosened and the support 6 which carries the inking arrangement is swung around pin 9 as a'pivot whereupon both nuts II! are tightened to fasten the assembly in adjusted position. Fastened adjacent theopposite ends of support'6 by means of screws ll, are two tracks or guides l2, l3. These guides are disposed above and in alignment with the guiding projections l4, l5, forming an integral part of the member 6 Members I3l5 and |2--l4 thus define a guide track for the rollers l6 and I1 which are loose on shaft l3. Fastened adjacent opposite ends of shaft I8 are a pair of metal castings I9, 20, shown in an enlarged form in Fig. 3. Each of themembers I8, 20, is provided with a downwardly extending lug 2| which has a smooth fiat machined underface resting-on and adapted to slide on member 6. Each member I9, 20, also carries an integral bearing bracket 22 which is provided with an eccentric opening to receive the rotatably adjustable bearing sleeve 23, in which the ends of shaft 24 are journalled. Aflixed to eachsleeve 23 is an adjusting handle 25 whereby the sleeves may be independently rotated to vary the position of LIL the ends of shaft 24 with respect to shaft l8. After being properly adjusted, the sleeves 23 are locked in position by suitable wing-nutted set screws 26.

Rigidly fastened to shaft 24 is a fountain roller 21 which, in accordance with the invention, is of a smooth hard and impervious material such as polished metal or ceramic, and is adapted to rotate while partially immersed in the ink containedin the pan or reservoir 28 which is supported on member 6. Each of the members 19, 20, also has anotherintegral bearing bracket 29 to receive the ends of shaft 30 to which is fastened the applicator roller 3| of hard metal such as steel or the like, In accordance with the invention, the roller 3| has its surface etched or engraved to provide a substantially uniformly reticulated surface. Preferably,the fineness of the engraving should on the average not exceed that corresponding to a 200 mesh screen and should not be coarser than that corresponding to a, mesh screen. I have found that by limiting the screen engraving within the above limits and by using-the etched roller for the transfer of the quick drying ink to the printing or type roller, satisfactory results are obtained with fast drying inks of the type employing a volatile vehicle such as alcohol or the like. Preferably, the ink should be in the form of a pigment suspension in the solvent although it will be understood that it is within the compass of the invention to employ so-called colloidal solutions of pigment such as carbon-black, graphite, etc., in a volatile vehicle. A pigment ink that may be satisfactorily used is that sold under the trade name Anilox by International Printing Ink Company. Roller 3| is driven by a gear 32 which in turn is driven in suitable timed relation to the gear which drives thetype roller 2. Shaft 30 also has keyed thereto a gear wheel 33 which meshes with gear wheel 34 keyed to shaft 24. Preferably, the teeth of gears 33 and 34 are made long and deep enough so that they maintain their proper driving relation-in all adjusted positions of roller 21; r v

Rollers 21 and 3| are provided with a protective housing comprising the end plates 35, 36, which are fastened by brackets 31, 38, .to the associated members I9, 20, and a cover plate 39 is hinged to the'end plates 35, 36, by suitable hinges 40. The said cover plate is removed in Fig. 1 to show the rollers 21 and 3| more clearly.

As will be seenfrom'Figs. 2 and 4, the rollers 21. and 3| are in very close contact, and since the ink supply is of the fast drying type consisting of a pigment or pigments suspended or colloidably dissolved in an alcohol or similar vehicle, the ink is of relatively low viscosity. Since the rollers are rotating in thedirection of the arrows (Fig, 2), the excess ink would tend to form a pool in the trough-like region P between'the rollers. In order to prevent this accumulation of ink, the rollers have their flat ends in close proximity to and preferably in contact with the end plates, 31, as shownmore clearly in Fig. 4. Each of said end plates is formed or provided with an inclined groove or channel 41 which. ex tends upwardly beyond the region P between the rollers 21, 3|, and also extend downwardly into the pan 28. I have found that by this arrangement excess inkis' prevented from lodging be tween the rollers and is returned directly through channels 4| to the ink reservoir 28; In order to adjust the spacingrelationbetween the transfer roller 3| and type roller 2,1shaftl8 has fastened thereto at its opposite ends the members 42, 43. Fastened to members 42, 43, are the threaded arms 44, 45, which pass through openings in the corresponding plates 46, fastened to members I3I5, I2-I4. The position of shaft I8 and consequently the position-of the entire inking unit is adjustable by loosening thelock-nuts 48 and wing-nuts 49 whereby the positions of the ends of shaft 18 may be independently adjusted whereupon the nuts 48 and 49 may be tightened to lock the assembly in its adjusted position with respect to the type roller.

I have found that when inks of the fast drying type employing a volatile vehicle such as an alcohol are employed, very frequently it becomes necessary to adjust with precision not only the pressure between the impervious fountain roller 21 and the applicator roller 3 I ,butalso the pressure or spacing between the applicator roller 3I and the printing roller 2. Furthermore, it may be necessary in certain kinds of printed subject matter to have the pressureor spacing between the rollers different from one end to the other. For example, the margin on one side of the printed sheet or surface may have dense or close printing, while the other margin may have relatively open or little printing. Because of the low viscosity and high fiowability of the fast drying inks, it is desirable under such circumstances to provide a greater quantity of ink at one end of the type roller. For this reason, the independent adjustments are provided for each end of roller 21 with respect to roller 3 I,this adjustment being effected by the independently adjustable eccentric bearingsleeves 23 at each end of shaft 24. Likewise, the independent adjustment for each end of the roller 3| with respect to the printing roller 2 is provided by members 44, 45.

Referring to Figs.'5 to 8, there is shown a preferred modification of Figs. -1 to 4 wherein the fountain roller 2'! is provided with a specially designed doctor blade, and the -manner of adjusting the various parts is somewhat modified. The unit according to this preferred embodiment comprises an ink box or fountain I having a bottom I29 which extends forwardly beyond the front wall of the box. The rear wall I33 of the box is inclined and hasattached thereto the doctor blade I34 which, in accordance with the invention, is in the form of a vulcanized hard rubber strip of the order of hardness represented by 85 durometer. This doctor blade is rigidly clamped between the metal .strip I35 and-the wall I33 by screws so that the overhanging or effective lip I34a can" be adjusted to take up for wear.

The extended bottom wall I29 has fastened thereto at opposite ends a pair of threaded posts I31 to receive the threaded shanks of corresponding adjusting screws I38. The ink box is supported on a flat main supporting member or bed plate I28 adapted to extend transversely across the front of the press adjacent the printing or type roller thereof. Bed plate I28 is provided with a perforation I28a at one end and a slot I281) at the other end whereby the entire unit canbe removably attached to the frame of the printing press and whereby it can be pivoted around the pin or bolt which passes through the opening I280 so as to enable the unit to be cleaned or repaired without disturbing the press proper. Fastened in any suitable manner adjacent the ends of member I28 are flat metal bars I42, I43, which extend forwardly of the plate to define guide-ways for purposes to be described.

Lil

The ink box rests for adjustable sliding movement on the upper members I42 and is locked in adjusted position by meansof locking screws I41 which pass through slots I50 in member I29.

The engraved or etched ink transfer roller H5 is fastened to a shaft II4 which is mounted in :suitable journal bearings in the brackets I I8provided with retaining hubs to prevent longitudinal displacement of the shaft. Ink transfer roller I I5 is, in accordance with the invention, of a hard material such as polished steel having a reticulated surfaceformed by etching or engraving with an average fineness preferably not exceeding 200 mesh and an average coarseness not exceeding 100 mesh as described above in connection with Figs. 1 to .4. Preferably the etched depressions are uniform in cross section. Instead of using. an etched steel roller, a similar hard impervious and smooth-surfaced roller such as vitreous, ceramic or the like may be employed, .the surface of the roller being etched or engraved in any well-known manner.

A gear I I3 is affixed to shaft I I4 and is in mesh with another gear II 2 which forms part of the same driving mechanism which drives the various ink-feed rollers of the press such as the rollers IUI to I (Fig. 8) so that the etched inking roller I I5 of the converter unit operates in proper direction and timed relation with respect to the printing or type roller I03 of the press on which the usual rubber printing plate is fastened, the direction of rotation being indicated by the arrows.

The bearing brackets II8 form part of a frame consisting of the side members or castings I I6, I II, which are united at their forward ends by the rigid cross arm I39 and by shaft I23. Member I39 is provided with two openings through which pass the ink box adjusting screws I38. The castings H6, 1, have laterally extending integral lugs I22, each of which is formed with a slot through which passes the lock-nut fastening screws I23, the ends of which are threaded into plate I28.

In order to guide the ink box during its adjustable sliding mcvement, and to prevent it from tilting, the castings I I6, II'I, have integral lips I24 which define with the adjacent members I42 a channel or track in which the lateral ends of the member I29 ride. The end portions of the ink box are provided with cover members I 30 to the rear portion of which are adjustably fastened by screws I 3| the rubber wipers I32. Wipers I32 engage the flat ends of the roller I I5 to prevent ink being carried upwardly thereby.

For the purpose of adjusting the position of the etched transfer roller, II 5 with respect to the printing or type roller I03 (Fig. 8) of the press, there are provided at opposite ends of the unit two threaded adjusting screws I 45which pass through corresponding threaded openings in the lugs I44 carried by members I42 and I43. The screws I45 are locked in place by suitable lock-nuts l 46 preferably provided with their own adjusting handles I46a. The ends of screws I45 are adapted to butt against the front flat edges of the castings H5 and H7. Each of the castings H5, H1, is provided with a lateral integral hub I2I to receive the round shaft I 20. Shaft I20 therefore passes between the guide members I 42 and I43 at opposite ends of the unit and at these portions the shaft I 20 is reduced in diameter so as to prevent lateral displacement of the frame carrying the roller 1 I5 with respect to the remaining parts of the unit. The frame and roller H5 are nor- With the foregoing arrangements, it is possible therefore to adjust the position of the ink box and therefore the position of the doctor blade I340. independently of the adjustment of the roller H5, while it is also possible to adjust the etched roller H5 and doctor blade and ink box as a unit. There is shown in Fig. 8 a diagrammatic side elevational view of a typical job-printing press of the type normally designed to employ a printing ink of low volatility such as the usual oil inks used in job printers. This type of press has the oil ink fountain I000. supported adjacent the top of the press frame. Located between the printingor type roller I03.are a series of ink working and distributing rollers I02 which are necessary in order to make sure that the ink from the fountain 1000. has the proper consistency before it is actually applied to the type roller I03. Cooperating with the type roller I03 is an impression roller I04 and a feed roller I05 by means of which the envelopes or other blanks to be printed are carried from the inlet hopper I06 to the type roller and are discharged after printing into the receiving hopper I01. Presses of this general type are well-known in the art, of which the Harris type P2 referred to hereinabove is typical. The converter unit of Figs. 5 to 7 is shown in dotted outline in Fig. 8 and the bed plate I28 of this unit is adapted to be removably fastened to a bracket I which is attached to the rear of the press bysuitable bolts I I0 so that the etched ink transfer roller I I is in direct ink transfer engagement with thetype roller I03.

By means of the single bed plate I28 which carries the entire unit, it is possible to attach this converter unit to existing presses in a very simple manner. When the bed plate I28 has been fastened, the nuts I46 are loosened and the screws I45 are turned so as to move the frame and etched roller II5 into proper relation with respect to the type roller I03. By means of the adjustments I45 at opposite ends of the 'unit, it is possible to regulate the pressure between the etched roller H5 and the type roller independently at opposite ends. When the roller I I5 has been properly adjusted, the members I38 are adjusted causing the ink box and the doctor blade to move so as to provide the proper pressure between the edge I34a of the doctor blade and the edge cylinder I I5. Here again by providing separate adjustments of each end of the unit, the pressure or clearances at the opposite ends of the doctor blade can be accurately regulated.

I have found that with arrangements such as those described employing the various individual pressure and spacing adjustments for the doctor member and the etched transfer roller, it is possible to use fast drying inks on the usual jobprinting presses. I have also found that by using'the inking arrangement as described,-it' is possible to effect job-printing with maximum speed since the ink dries substantially immediately. Furthermore, by using the particular arrangement and adjustment of parts as described like.

above, sharper and more readily controlledprinting may be effected and the machinery can be are of high viscosity and tackiness and relatively low volatility tend to accumulate dust.

The arrangement as described consists of a complete and self-contained unit which can be attached readily to a wide variety of presses. Furthermore, the arrangement provides the maximum in accuracy of adjustment and enables the entire unit to be pivoted .or swung around the shaft l8 (Figs. 1-4) or around the axis of shaft I20 (Figs. 5-8) in a plane parallel to the axis of the printing roller, and also to be swung around an axis substantially perpendicular to the printing roller. This enables the inspection and operation of the printing to be readily supervised for repair, cleaning or the It will be understood of course that various changes and modifications may be made in the particular embodiment disclosed without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

What I claim is:

1. A converter unit of the type described comprising a support for removable attachment to the frame of a printing press, an ink box slidably attached to said support, an ink transfer roller, a frame also slidably attached to said support and carrying said roller, a doctor blade fixedly mounted with respect to said box, means to adjust thetransfer roller with respect to said box, and with respect to the printing roller, and means to adjust, the doctor blade with respect to said transfer roller.

2. A converter unit according to claim 1 in which the means for adjusting the relation between the transfer roller and printing roller is independent of the means for adjusting the doctor blade with respect to the transfer roller.

3. A converter unit according to claim lin which the means to adjust the transfer roller with respect to the printing roller of the press includes a pair of springs located between said frame and said support normally tending to separate said transfer roller from'said doctor blade, and a pair of adjustable stops carried I by said support and engaging said frame to adjustably limit the spacing between the doctor blade and said single roller. 7 i

4. A unitary ink feeding assembly for attach ment to a printing press of the type having a type roller, said assembly comprising an engraved polished metal inking roller, a flat main supporting member adapted to extend transversely across the front of the press, a rigid frame having lateral bearing supports for said roller and slidable toward and away from the press on said supporting member, an ink box movable as a unit with said frame, horizontal guides for said frame, and means to pivotally support said main supporting member with respect to the press adjacent one side thereof whereby said assembly can be swung through a ll ilgrizontal angle for cleaning, inspection and the THOMAS A. TERRY. 

